Islanders' Tavares among finalists for MVP award

UNIONDALE — For five games, Sidney Crosby and John Tavares have been on opposite sides in the quest to lead their teams to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Associated Press

UNIONDALE — For five games, Sidney Crosby and John Tavares have been on opposite sides in the quest to lead their teams to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

On Friday, the stars of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Islanders found themselves going head-to-head again — this time to be the NHL MVP.

A day before the teams were set to face off in Game 6 of the first-round Eastern Conference series, Crosby and Tavares were announced as finalists — along with Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin — for the Hart Trophy. The voting is already in, so these stars can't campaign on or off the ice to gain support. All three also are in the mix for the Stanley Cup, but either Crosby or Tavares will be eliminated from that chase by the end of the weekend.

"It's a tremendous honor to be recognized, especially with those two guys and what great players they are, and so many other great players that had great seasons," Tavares said. "They've proved to be the best players in the game for a long time. They are still at really young ages, and they keep getting better, as well.

"They are not easy guys to play against each and every night. You see their consistency and what makes them great players. That helps push me to want to become better, knowing I have to compete against those guys. I have to raise the level of my game."

Tavares (2009), Ovechkin (2004) and Crosby (2005) were all chosen No. 1 in the NHL draft. Crosby is the only one to capture the Stanley Cup, and he was the Hart winner in 2007. Ovechkin won the award in 2008 and 2009.

"He's done a lot, came into the league with a lot of pressure," Crosby said of Tavares. "I can relate to what that feels like, knowing there's pressure coming onto his own team. There are similarities but he's his own player. He had a great season and led the way for them and he's definitely gotten better and better each year."

The 22-year-old Tavares, in his fourth NHL season, increased his goal and point totals in each of his first three years. He was on his way to a career year, scoring 28 goals — the third most in the NHL and just three shy of his best output — and 47 points in this 48-game campaign.

"He just keeps getting smarter and more mature, learning what he is capable of in this league," linemate Matt Moulson said of Tavares. "He just works extremely hard to get better at each area. That's what makes him such a special player. He is very deserving. I am sure he probably could've done it with a lot of people on his wing."

The teams will meet again Saturday night on Long Island. If the Islanders stave off elimination on home ice they will set up a winner-take-all showdown Sunday in Pittsburgh.